Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has handed first call-ups to Roma defender Max Tonetto and Sampdoria forward Fabio Quagliarella ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifier against Scotland.
With injuries keeping Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Grosso out of contention, Tonetto has been included in Donadoni's 25-man squad for the encounter in Bari on March 28.
Tonetto has made 23 Serie A appearances in his first campaign with Roma.
The absence of striker Vincenzo Iaquinta through injury and playmaker Francesco Totti, who is unavailable for national team duty until September, has forced Donadoni to call on the services of 23-year-old Quagliarella.
The Samp striker has scored 10 league goals this season.
The good news for Donadoni is that Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro will be available having shaken off a muscular injury.
The Azzurri will begin training at their headquarters in Florence on Monday.
The World Champions are currently two points behind Group B leaders France and Scotland after four games played.
Italy squad: Buffon (Juventus), Abbiati (Torino), Amelia (Livorno); Tonetto (Roma), Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Oddo (AC Milan), Zambrotta (Barcelona), Barzagli (Palermo), Materazzi (Internazionale), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Bonera (AC Milan); Camoranesi (Juventus), Pirlo (AC Milan), Gattuso (AC Milan), De Rossi (Roma), Perrotta (Roma), Mauri (Lazio), Semioli (Chievo), Ambrosini (AC Milan); Toni (Fiorentina), Del Piero (Juventus), Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (AC Milan), Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Rocchi (Lazio).
Tonetto has made 23 Serie A appearances in his first campaign with Roma.
The absence of striker Vincenzo Iaquinta through injury and playmaker Francesco Totti, who is unavailable for national team duty until September, has forced Donadoni to call on the services of 23-year-old Quagliarella.
The Samp striker has scored 10 league goals this season.
The good news for Donadoni is that Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro will be available having shaken off a muscular injury.
The Azzurri will begin training at their headquarters in Florence on Monday.
The World Champions are currently two points behind Group B leaders France and Scotland after four games played.
Italy squad: Buffon (Juventus), Abbiati (Torino), Amelia (Livorno); Tonetto (Roma), Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Oddo (AC Milan), Zambrotta (Barcelona), Barzagli (Palermo), Materazzi (Internazionale), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Bonera (AC Milan); Camoranesi (Juventus), Pirlo (AC Milan), Gattuso (AC Milan), De Rossi (Roma), Perrotta (Roma), Mauri (Lazio), Semioli (Chievo), Ambrosini (AC Milan); Toni (Fiorentina), Del Piero (Juventus), Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (AC Milan), Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Rocchi (Lazio).
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